Magic poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Anthony Hopkins, Ann-Margret, Burgess Meredith, Ed Lauter, E.J. Andre ... see more see more... , Jerry Houser , Brad Beesley , Scott Garrett , Robert Hackman , Joe Lowry , Patrick McCullough , Mary Munday , Lillian Randolph , Beverly Sanders , David Ogden Stiers , Michael Harte

Anthony Hopkins is a ventriloquist psychologically tormented by his dummy in the Richard Attenborough thriller Magic (a film with a story that may seem familiar to those who have seen the Michael Redg... read more read more...rave segment of Dead of Night, or the Cliff Robertson episode "The Dummy" from The Twilight Zone television series). William Goldman based his screenplay on his best-selling novel. Hopkins plays Corky, a seedy magician who is hooted off the stage in the low-rent clubs that will stoop to hire him. But when he comes across a dummy named Fats, his career is energized. Corky sees in Fats everything he lacks himself -- confidence, creativity, and verbal agility. With the help of his agent Ben Greene (Burgess Meredith), Corky rises to the top of the nightclub circuit. But with Corky's success comes an increased paranoia, and he turns down a TV contract, believing that it would mean taking a medical examination and that rumors of his mental instability might leak out. Corky takes off to a Catskills resort, run by Peggy Ann Snow (Ann-Margret), an old girlfriend now unhappily married to a volatile hick (Ed Lauter). While a frustrated Ben high tails it to the Catskills to find Corky, Corky discovers that he still has feelings for Peggy, but lands in the middle of a love triangle between the woman and her husband, where his schizophrenic personality manifests itself and additional murders occur. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Flixster Users

57% liked it

6,243 ratings

Critics

83% liked it

18 critics

R, 1 hr. 46 min.

Directed by: Richard Attenborough

Release Date: November 8, 1978

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: January 5, 1990

Stats: 371 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

Magic
Upload a Photo | View All Magic Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (371)

  • SirPant
    February 15, 2011
    SirPant
    William Goldman is a brilliant writer. Combine that with the directing talent of Richard Attenborough and the acting talent of Anthony Hopkins and the wonderful and still sorely missed Burgess Meredith and you have the recipe for a near perfect film. By far my favourite horror ba... read moresed on Schizophrenia (there seems to be many these days). Corky/Fats is far frightening than Hannibal and Chucky put together in my opinion. A great film from an era that I particularly enjoy, the late 70's produced some ace films!
  • purplemegan
    February 2, 2011
    purplemegan
    Not too bad actually. Anthony Hopkins was good at being creepy before Silence of the Lambs. Not really a "horror" film more just creepy.
  • ajv2688
    January 6, 2011
    ajv2688
    This story has been seen over and over, there is an episode of the Twilight Zone and about three movies with the story before this movie came out. Obviously it is predictable and overacted, and I wouldn't recommend seeing it.
  • puffchunk
    August 19, 2010
    puffchunk
    I've always had a fascination with dummys, and a fear of them. Mix a super creepy one with Anthony Hopkins and you've got a winner! The interplay between the two characters was gold. I really liked what it was about (eventually), it was unique and reminded me a bit of Gollum.
  • kiriyamakazou
    February 15, 2009
    kiriyamakazou
    Magic is a film I have been wanting to see for years. But every time I picked up the DVD I, for some reason, decided against it. Finally I watched it and it is one of the most incredible, terrifying and moving films ever made. When it comes to horror you need great talent like th... read moreis. Not the cliche teens and 2D characters of today. A great actor, great director and great writer, combine their forces for a powerful and chilling tale. Hopkins plays a shy man who has dreams of being a successful magician. We are introduced via one of the best opening scenes ever shot. It has Hopkins lying about how well his first performance went. As his voice over contrasts with the on screen visuals, we immediately understand Hopkins' motivations. Once his puppet comes into picture everything changes. Hopkins is confident, he has success, but all is not well. As the film progresses the puppet begins to look and sound more like Hopkins (who does an excellent job as the voice of Fats) and it is Hopkins that becomes the puppet. The film may be light on kills and gore but it work because it spends time building upon those that will be killed. Each kill can be felt and has consequences emotionally for those in the story. It's also a love story. Perhaps the most tragic and horrific love story since King Kong. Hopkins (in easily his best role) creates someone who is scary and sympathetic. He captures the shyness of Corky, the malevolence of Fats but most of all he never lets us forget that they are one in the same. The human love story is also sweet, tragic and brutally honest. Ed Lauter plays the husband of the Ann-Margaret and even he is given his dues. He's not the alcoholic wife beater he could have been. He may be jealous but his actions are understandable. The film is a horror, psychological drama and heart shattering romance all at the same time. It also shows the cooperative nature of film. Take away or change one element and it probably would have failed. Whether that be the wonderfully designed dummy, the haunting score or the performances. The film relies on everyone and everyone has done their job damn well. Simply amazing.
  • FilmFanatik
    October 28, 2007
    FilmFanatik
    Very tight thriller with a great ending. One of Anthony Hopkins' Best Performances Ever!
  • YosemiteSamFan
    July 8, 2007
    YosemiteSamFan
    The #1 creepy puppet movie. A great psychological study of a ventriloquist who has gone insane. The setting of the remote lake house wasn't very interesting. It was hard to believe that Ann-Margret would be married to Ed Lauter. The scene where Burgess Meredith was ordering the p... read moreuppet not to speak for one full minute was expertly directed to build great tension. It's spooky indeed. The trailer was scary as heck.
  • Dannyrovira
    January 1, 2012
    Dannyrovira
    A gripping and disturbing tale based on the best selling novel by William Goldman which is marvelously directed by Sir Richard Attenborough. Sir Anthony Hopkins is absolutely mesmerizing in a virtuoso performance that truly demonstrates his extraordinary range, he plays a Corky a... read more tormented ventriloquist & magician who dominated by his vicious dummy named Fats, who manipulates him into to a series of violent and deadly confrontations all leading to a shocking conclusion. It's edgy and suspenseful with terrific supporting performances from Ann Margret in a fine turn as Corky's lost love Peggy Ann Snow; and Burgess Meredith is a standout in a truly exceptional performance as Corky's agent Ben Greene. A haunting psychological horror story. Highly Recommended.
  • fb208103125
    September 28, 2011
    fb208103125
    Suspenseful, terrifying and genuinely disturbing all contained in a 106 minute film. Anthony Hopkins delivers another amazing performance as a ventriloquist who is controlled by his dummy in more ways than one. The film is definitely worth a watch.
  • patrickdol
    March 24, 2008
    patrickdol
    This is one of those films that defy genre. Yet if I had to, I'd put it in horror. An effing creepy film that gets under your skin, and for those who don't like dummies, well, aren't gonna like them any more. It's definitely a build, type of film that starts off innocent enough, ... read morethen slowly tips, but you won't be disappointed as you get an uneasy feeling from the very beginning. It's nice to see a young Hopkins as his stardom seem to come in his elder years and really he's an amazing actor, there's no doubt that he is one of the fact that make this film.

View All Magic Reviews

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff
March 26, 2009
Variety Staff, Variety

In adapting his own best-seller, William Goldman has opted for an atmospheric thriller, a mood director Richard Attenborough fleshes out to its fullest. Full Review

Vincent Canby
May 9, 2005
Vincent Canby, New York Times

Magic is neither eerie nor effective. It is, however, very heavy of hand. Full Review

January 8, 2007
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Magic has few scary moments and is really a rather maudlin examination of a nervous breakdown. Full Review

Walter Chaw
July 9, 2006
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central

It makes you feel uncomfortable in your own skin. Full Review

Derek Adams
June 24, 2006
Derek Adams, Time Out

A hammed-up version of the old chestnut about the ventriloquist who is 'taken over' by his dummy, clumsily adapted by William Goldman from his own novel. Full Review

Rory L. Aronsky
June 21, 2006
Rory L. Aronsky, Film Threat

Because of Hopkins, because of Ann-Margret (who hardly looks like that Ann-Margret, adeptly proving herself as an occasional dramatic actress), and because of Burgess Meredith as well as Fats the dumm... Full Review

Christopher Null
May 9, 2006
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

Odd combo, but it's creepy and generally works. Full Review

Chuck O'Leary
March 15, 2006
Chuck O'Leary, FulvueDrive-in.com

A very well-crafted suspense-thriller that unfolds with one dramatically tense scene after another. Hopkins is superb. Full Review

Cole Smithey
October 7, 2005
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com

Very likely to produce nightmares.

Steve Crum
June 12, 2005
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com

Still creepy story of Hopkins and his psychotic dummy.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Dead Silence
    Dead Silence (75%)
  • Joey (Making Contact)
    Joey (Making Contact) (100%)
  • Puppet Master
    Puppet Master (0%)
  • Child's Play
    Child's Play (83%)

More Movies like Magic

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

Magic : Watch Free on TV

Magic Trivia

  • in what film do sandra bullock and nicole kidman play witches & sisters   Answer »
  • This actress is Practically Magic. Her career has defiantly not Crashed and burned. She is simply Miss Congeniality. Who is she?   Answer »
  • Name that movie! "All the magic of the forest can be unleashed from a tiny seed."  Answer »
  • Name the movie that features this quote: "Magic isn't just spells and potions."  Answer »
More Magic Trivia

Movie Quizzes

No quizzes for Magic. Want to create one?

Video Clips

Upload a Video |

All Magic Videos

Meet Other Fans

Add Magic to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?